Dispensing cap



Feb. s, 193s.

J. C. BOYLE DISPENSING CAP Filed Feb. l, 1956 l', l0 f jil.5.

INVENTOR. v51/mas C." .5m/LE.

M +Mw ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE DISPENSING CAP James C. Boyle, Cincinnati, Ohio Application February 1, 1936, Serial No. 61,975 A 12 Claims. (Cl. 221-116) My invention relates to dispensing caps to be collar used with Amy dispenser, together with a placed on containers llled with coffee or other cage for use with a paper bag.

relatively fine ground material, and which dis- Briefly, in the practice of my invention, I propenses the material from the container in a defivide a circular casing l, with an annular opennite measured quantity. ing 2, and a restricted exhaust opening 3. I do 5 It is an object of my invention to provide' a not intend to limit myself to the size and shape dispensing cap together with a collar or a series of the exhaust opening and merely illustrate a of collars therefor, which may be placed over preferred embodiment thereof for the purpose of the ordinary can-type container, and ordinary assisting and understanding my invention. Posilo screw top Mason jar, or which may be placed tioned within the casing I, is a spider 4, comlo over the neck opening of a paper sack. posed of a plurality of radial walls coming to- It is a further object of my invention to progether at the center and fastened to the inner vide a dispensing cap which insures the dispensside of the casing I, in order to form a plurality ing of the correct measured amount of material of V-shaped compartments. I provide a circular l5 at each action of dispensing. plate 5 covering the upper openings of the spider l;

It is a further object of my invention to procompartments 6 which preferably has an annuvide a dispensing cap which is so constructed lar bead 'I on its edge. This plate 5 is rotatable that jamming due to the material being diswithin the dispenser casing I. pensed getting into the dispensing mechanism A second circular plate 8 preferably having a is avoided, and which provides a simple and easy bead on its circumferential edge covers the lower 20 method of dispensing material without the use openings of the spider compartments 6. The of a great amount of effort. formation of the spider walls 4 is such that the It is a further object of my invention to provolume of each compartment as determined by vide a dispensing cap which when fitted on a the walls and the upper plate 5 and lower plate container completely seals the same when it is 8 is a given, carefully measured amount. It is 2 not in use, and prevents dirt or moisture from of course apparent that this volume may be penetrating the container and which insures the changed by either widening or narrowing the aroma and condition of the material from being walls 4 or by enlarging the distance between the impaired. walls in their radial positions. The walls 4 are 3.0 Another object of my invention is to provide a fastened to the casing I by welding or any other dispensing cap which as has been heretofore means well known in the art, o'r it may be prefstated may be placed upon a plurality of conerable to hold them in place by merely the frictainers of different kinds, but which may be tional engagement with the slide walls 4, and manufactured extremely cheaply and which gives their other ends are welded or fastened to a a very pleasing appearance to the container on central hub 9. 35 which it is placed. A square shaft l0 projects through the hub 9 These and other objects of my invention which outwardly to the plane of the exhaust opening 3. will be set forth hereinafter or will be apparent The upper and lower plates 5 and E have square to one skilled in the art upon reading these apertures in their center through which the 4() specifications, I accomplish by that certain consquare shaft I@ runs in a slidable but non-rotat- 40 struction and arrangement of parts of which I able relation. I have preferably placed springs shall now describe a preferred embodiment. II against the plates 5 and 8 and abut them Reference is now made to the drawing which against collars I2 which are positioned around forms a part hereof, and in Whichtthe shaft lll in a non-slidable manner by split- Figure 1 iS a Plan VBW With a DOIOD Cut away ting them and inserting them in grooves I2a in 45 of my novel dispenser. the shaft I0. From this description it is appar- Fig. 2 is a section of my dispenser shown in ent that the springs urge the plates 5 and B Fig. l, taken on the section line 2--2. against the spider edges and at the same time Fig. 3 is a cross section of a modified form hold the shaft l0 in the position within the dis- .30 of my novel dispenser. penser casing I itself.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the dispenser shown Within the plates 5 and 8 I place apertures I3 in 2 applied to a paper bag or sack, with a of a configuration similar to a cross section of the portion cut away to more clearly show the concompartments The apertures in the plate 8 struction. a are in staggered relation to those in the plate 5.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a modified form of In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 55

1. I have shown two apertures I3 and I3a in the upper plate 5'and on opposite sides of the plate. In the lower plate 8, I haveshown two apertures IIb and I3c on opposite sides of the plate and at right angles to the opposing apertures in plate 5. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 there are eight compartments 6, and by placing the apertures in the plates as above indicated, the operation of the dispenser is as follows: The material in the container when it is inverted will f'lll the two compartments 6 under the apertures I 3 and I3a in the upper plate 5. The lower plate Il will form a. bottom for these two apertures. If the shaft Ill is now turned counterclockwise so the apertures will all move one compartment in that direction,

there will be no dispensing as yet, but the two compartments to the left, in counterclockwise direction, will be filled through the apertures I3 and I3a. If now the shaft III is again revolved in a counterclockwise direction, the apertures in the plate 8 will position themselves under the first two compartments filled, and will discharge them through the exhaust opening 3. The solid portion of the plate 5 will cover the compartments being discharged so that no more than the measured quantity of material may run through them. It is quite apparent that on each further movement of the shaft III in a counterclockwise direction, the apertures will progressively position themselves under following compartments and will successively discharge each compartment while at the same time filling at least two compartments which are not being discharged. I wish to particularly call attention to the fact that my dispenser cap at no time between the registering of any of the apertures with the compartments opens a passageway from the container straight through to the exhaust opening 3.

To facilitate the operation of my dispenser cap I provide a handle I5 keyed to the end of the shaft III and preferably urged against the edge 3a of the exhaust opening 3. I cut teeth I6 in the edge 3a of the exhaust opening 3 with sloping shoulders I 6a on one side and a. sharp shoulder Ib on the other side. This insures that the handle I5 will be revolved at all times in the same direction. It is of course apparent that either direction will be satisfactory but that the handle and thus the shaft III to progressively discharge must be always turned in the same direction.

The modification shown in Fig. 3 comprises a circular casing 2| and the spider walls I tapered to the hub as is clearly shown in the drawing. In this modification the upper plate 5 is similar to that described above but the lower plate 22 is conical in shape so as to contact the tapered edges of the spider I. In this instance I have ound that a coil spring 23 is more satisfactory t \an a leaf spring in urging the plate 22 against theiwall edgs. The aperture openings in both the plates 5 and 22 are similar to that described above.

I provide a cap 25 which fits over the exhaust port edge 3a when the dispenser is not in operation. This cap has a hinged portion 26 through which a circular wire 21 runs and which preferably is positioned in a groove 28 in the container casing itself. I provide a slot 29 in the lip 30 of my cover 25 to permit the handle end I 5a to roject. From the above it is apparent that th cap 25 may be turned in relation to the cont iner casing, so that the slot 29 may be so positi ned as to fit over the crank end I5a at any positio` on the discharge port 3. In some cases it may, be preferable to provide the cap 25 with a spring so I provide a series of collars for attaching mydispensing cap to different -forms of containers.

f All of the collars have an annular lip 30 which fits into the annular opening 2 of the dispenser cap. The other end of the collar may have an annular flange 3l, Fig. 2, for fitting over the ordinary coffee container 33. Fig. 3 illustrates my collar with a screw flange 34 for fitting over and screwing on the typical opening of a Mason jar 35.

Fig. 4 illustrates a special collar for use with a paper sack. This -comprises the collar itself with a flange 38 of a circumference similar to the circumference of the paper sack and over which the paper sack mouth may be placed. There is preferably a bead 36a on the edge of the flange 36 and a spring hoop or collar 31 with split ends 33 formed of resilient material which may be positioned over the paper bag mouth to hold it tightly against the flange 36. Fastened on the inside of my collar is a wire framework which may be worked down through the material, in the bag in order to keep the bag in an extended condition.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the bag holder of Fig. 4, the only difference being that the wire cage l0 is attached to the resilient hoop 31 and positions itself on the outside of the bag instead of on the inside. This permits the bag to be set in an upright position no matter how deated.

While the modifications in Figs. 4 and 5 show collars having a frame for use with bags, it is also apparent that the type of frame I use is not a limitation of my invention but merely for the purpose of illustration since it is apparent that a cylinder of paper, metal or some relatively stifI material maybe used in place of the frame illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

It is of course to be understood that numerous diierent forms of my preferred form as described above, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A dispenser cap comprising a plurality of segmental compartments having a given appreciable depth, an upper and lower closure for said compartments comprising plates, said plates being mounted on and movable by a common shaft, two segmental openings in each of said plates on opposite sides thereof, the openings in said lower plate being on a line at right angles to the line of the openings on said upper plate, an arm keyed to said shaft for movement of both the plates, stops coacting with said arm to position said plates so that the openings are all in perfect register with the segmental compartments.

2. A dispenser cap comprising a plurality of segmental compartments having a given appreciable depth, an upper and lower closure for said compartments comprising plates, said plates being mounted on and movable by a common shaft, two segmental openings in each of said plates on opposite sides thereof, the openings in said lower plate being on a line at right angles to the line of the openings on said upper plate, an arm keyed to said shaft for movement of both the plates, stops coacting withsaid arm to position said plates so that the openings are all in perfect s lar one end of which is adapted to fit register with the segmental compartments, and spring means for urging said plates against said compartment ends.

3. A dispensing cap comprising a circular casing for attachment-to the neck of a container, radial walls within said casing defining segmental passages of given depth, a rotatable plate covering each end of said passageways, said plates having apertures of a configuration similar to the passageway ends, the apertures on each plate being staggered in relationto the apertures on the other plate, a shaft for rotating both of said plates together, a handle on said shaft for rotating said shaft, means cooperating with the handle when said apertures are in perfect registry with the passageway openings.

4. A dispensing cap comprising a circular casing for attachment to the neck-of a container, radial walls within said casing defining segmental passages of given depth, a rotatable plate covering each end of said passageways, said plates having apertures of a configuration similar to the passageway ends, the apertures on each plate being staggered in relation to the apertures on the other plate, a, shaft for rotating both of said plates together, a handle on said shaft for rotating said shaft, means cooperating with the handle when said apertures are in perfect registry with the passageway ends, and springs for urging said plates against the passageway ends.

`5. A dispensing cap comprising a casing having a portion to be placed over the neck of a container and a spout portion, a plurality of measured compartments between said portions, said compartments having a top opening and a bottom opening; circular plates covering both of said openings, apertures in said plates, the apertures of one plate being in staggered relation to the apertures in said other plate, a shaft common to both plates for rotating them together, a handle on said shaft and means cooperating with said handle for determining when said plate apertures are in exact registry with a measured compartment, and a cover for said spout portion and having a slot positioned over said handle, said cover being revolvable around the spout but not removable from said casing.

6. A dispensing cap comprising a casing having a portion to be placed over the neck of a container and a spout portion, a plurality of measured compartments between said portions, said compartments having a top opening and a bottom opening, circular plates covering both of said openings, apertures in said plates, the apertures of one plate being in staggered relation to the apertures in said other plate, a shaft common to both plates for rotating them together, a.handle on said shaft and means cooperating with said handle for determining when said plate apertures are in exact registry with a measured compartment, said means comprising teeth on said spout portion in which said handle rides.

'7. In combination with a dispensing cap for dispensing measured quantities of material a colsaid cap and the other end of which is provided with an annular flange having a groove, a resilient hoop adapted to be positioned in. said groove and a framework projecting outwardly from said flange, so that a 'paper bag may be placed over the framework with its mouth around said annular fiange and in said groove with the hoop surrounding said bag mouth forcing the same in said groove and retaining it in that position.

8. A dispensing cap comprising a circular casing, a. shaft positioned axially within said casing, a circular plate slidably, but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft and positioned to rotate within said casing, a frustro-conical plate slidably, but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft at a point adjacent to said circular plate, and adapted to rotate with said shaft and said circular plate, partition walls mounted on said casing and projecting between said plates to form compartments with said plates, apertures in said circular and said frustro-conical plates, the apertures in said frustro-conical plate being in staggered relationship to the apertures in said circular plate, and means for revolving said shaft.

9. A dispensing cap comprising a circular casing, a shaft positioned axially within said casing, a circular plate slidably, but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft and positioned to rotate within said casing, a frustro-conical plate slidably, but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft at a point adjacent to said circular plate, and adapted to rotate with said shaft and said circular plate, partition walls mounted on said Icasing and projecting between said plates to form compartments with said plates, apertures in said circular and said frustro-conical plates, the apertures in said `frustro-conical plate being in staggered relationship to the apertures in said circular plate, means for revolving said shaft, and springs urging said plates toward each other.

10. A dispensing cap comprising a circular casing, a shaft positioned axially within said casing, 'a circular plate slidably, but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft and positioned to rotate Within said casing, a frustro-conical plate slidable, but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft at a point adjacent to said circular plate, and adapted to rotate with said shaft and said circular plate, partition walls mounted on said casing and projecting between said plates to form compartments with said plates, apertures in said circular and 'said frustro-conical plates, the apertures in said frustro-conical plate being in staggered relationship to the apertures in said circular plate, and means for revolving said shaft, said means comprising a handle keyed to said shaft, and a second means cooperating with said handle for indicating and holding said shaft in such a position that the apertures in said plates are in l exact registry with a compartment.

11. A dispenser cap comprising an annular casing having a dispensing port, an annular opening in said casing of substantially the same circumference as the circumference of the mouth of a paper bag, an annular groove surrounding said annular opening and a ring positionable within said groove so that the mouth of the bag may be placed over the opening and the ring placed over the bag to force it into the groove and form an -air tight joint, and a frame for holding the bag distended attached to the ring.

12. A dispenser cap comprising. a plurality of compartments having a given appreciable depth, an upper and lower closure for said compartments comprising circular plates revolvable together by a common means, two openings in each plate on opposite sides thereof, the openings in said lower plate being on a line at right angles to the line of the openings on said upper plate. means coacting with said plate revolving means to position said plates so that the openings are all in perfect registry with compartments.

JAMES C. BOYLE. 

